Special Correspondent: President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged the United Kingdom to expand cooperation with Bangladesh in education, human resource development and technology while further deepening bilateral trade and investment ties.

He made the call when British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Monday morning.

During the meeting, the British envoy handed over a congratulatory letter from King Charles III to the President on his assumption of office. Mirza Fakhrul thanked the King for his greetings and asked the High Commissioner to convey his best wishes to him.

The President particularly sought greater UK support for Bangladeshi students pursuing higher education in Britain, including an increase in Commonwealth scholarships. He also called for cooperation in developing Bangladesh’s human resources and strengthening the capacity of institutions working in education and technology.

“Expatriate Bangladeshis living in Britain are making significant contributions to strengthening and developing the ties between Britain and Bangladesh,” he said.

The President noted that Bangladesh and the UK also work closely within the Commonwealth on development issues and matters of mutual interest.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s return to the democratic path through a free, impartial and peaceful election, Mirza Fakhrul stressed the need to strengthen democratic institutions and build the capacity of elected representatives.

Referring to Britain’s Westminster-style parliamentary democracy, he called for regular contacts, mutual visits and exchanges of experience between parliamentarians of the two countries.

The British High Commissioner, meanwhile, said nearly 99.99 percent of Bangladeshi products, including ready-made garments, would continue to enjoy duty-free and unrestricted access to the UK market for another three years following Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category.

The President described the facility as an important opportunity to further expand commercial relations between Bangladesh and the UK.

Sarah Cooke also briefed the President on a proposed digital climate data exchange initiative between the two countries.

Welcoming the initiative, Mirza Fakhrul said exchanging weather and climate-related information could help make weather forecasts more accurate and contribute to higher agricultural production.

The Secretary of the President’s Office, the President’s Press Secretary, the British Deputy High Commissioner, the Director of Development, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant offices were present at the meeting.